Zimbabwe has commissioned Africa’s first lithium sulphate processing plant, marking a major step in its drive to end the export of raw minerals and promote local value addition.

The $400 million facility, built by Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (PLZ) near Harare, became fully operational in May and will process lithium into higher-value products used in rechargeable batteries.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the country would no longer allow the export of its mineral wealth without local processing, reaffirming plans to ban raw lithium concentrate exports from 2027.

The government also revealed plans to establish lithium carbonate refining facilities and eventually manufacture lithium batteries and solar panels. In addition, Zimbabwe intends to prohibit the export of 13 other critical minerals in raw form from next year as part of efforts to boost industrialisation, create jobs and increase export earnings.